Brazoria County Down Payment Assistance and First-Time Homebuyer Programs

Brazoria County is a desirable place to own a home, given its proximity to both Houston and the coast. Additionally, housing across the county is on par with the rest of Texas, which is to say, pretty affordable.

However, just because you score a well-priced house, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be easy to shoulder the upfront costs. The down payment, closing costs, and other upfront expenses can still add up to tens of thousands of dollars, even on a modestly-priced home.

Fortunately, there are down payment assistance and first-time homebuyer programs available in Brazoria County to ease this burden, so you don’t have to shoulder it alone. You could be eligible for thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars in assistance to help you get into your first home sooner. 

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal or financial advice. Please consult an attorney, mortgage lender, or CPA for guidance on your specific situation.

Types of down payment assistance for Brazoria County homebuyers

Most of the down payment assistance available to homebuyers in Brazoria County comes from Texas statewide programs, which are by and large forgivable loans. (These loans are sometimes known as “liens”, but regardless of the name they both function in essentially the same way.)

Because these loans are forgivable, the money doesn’t need to be paid back as long as you meet certain basic requirements. For this reason, forgivable loans and liens are an excellent option for many first-time homebuyers. 

Brazoria County first-time homebuyer loans

As we mentioned, almost all Brazoria County first-time homebuyer programs come in the form of forgivable loans and liens. Each program establishes its own forgiveness requirements, but most require buyers to use the home as their primary residence, without refinancing, selling, or renting it out for a period of between three and ten years. 

Programs also require that you consistently make your mortgage payments on time.

Some programs have longer or shorter forgiveness timeframes — such as forgiving the loan only once you’ve completely paid off your mortgage. These programs aren’t as common, though.

Even less common are programs which offer non-forgivable loans. These loans must be completely repaid, but are structured so that making the payments isn’t a financial challenge for first-time homebuyers.

Down payment assistance programs in Brazoria County

If you are a homebuyer looking for down payment assistance in Brazoria County, you have quite a few options to choose from. We’ve listed them all below, but it can be a lot of information to work through.

Stairs Financial makes the whole process incredibly manageable. This includes helping you find a lender who is qualified to work with your down payment assistance program. 

Stairs connects you with a trusted lender and shows you all the loan and assistance programs you may qualify for, so you can easily compare your options, all in one place.

Learn more. 

TSAHC Home Sweet Texas HFA Loan

The Home Sweet Texas HFA Loan is a down payment assistance loan available everywhere in Texas that can be fully forgiven if you don’t sell or refinance the home for a period of three years after purchase. 

This program can also be combined with the Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) tax credit which we describe in greater detail below.

Assistance type: Forgivable loan

Sponsor: Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation

Assistance amount: Up to 5% down payment, no fixed maximum

Purchase price limit: None

Minimum borrower contribution: None

Eligibility requirements: 

• Purchasing in Texas
• Credit (FICO) score of 620 or higher
• Income limit*: $71,280 to $97,840 depending on location of home

*For all DPA programs, purchase price and income limits are regularly reviewed and updated. Be sure to check the most current limits before assuming you don’t qualify. 

TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes HFA Loan

The Homes for Texas Heroes HFA Loan is a forgivable down payment assistance loan program available to Texas residents working in certain helping professions. The loan can be combined with the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) tax credit, and it can be forgiven if you do not sell or refinance the home within three years.

Assistance type: Forgivable loan

Sponsor: Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation

Assistance amount: Up to 5% down payment, no fixed maximum

Purchase price limit: none 

Minimum borrower contribution: None 

Eligibility requirements: 

• Purchasing in Texas
• A veteran, or currently working as: a teacher, emergency medical professional, nurse, law enforcement officer, or active duty service member 
• Credit (FICO) score of 620 or higher
• Income limit: $126,140 to $163,520 depending on location of home

SETH 5 Star Texas Advantage Forgivable Lien

The 5 Star Texas Advantage Forgivable Lien provides down payment assistance in the form of a community second lien which is forgiven after three years, provided you do not sell or refinance the home in that time. 

Assistance type: Forgivable loan

Sponsor: Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation

Assistance amount: Up to 5% down payment, no fixed maximum 

Purchase price limit for FHA loans*:  $472,030 to $571,550 (depending on location)

Purchase price limit for all other loan types: $492,500 

Minimum borrower contribution: None 

Eligibility requirements: 

• Purchasing anywhere in Texas except Travis County, El Paso, McKinney, and Grand Prairie
• Credit (FICO) score of 640 or higher 
• Income limit for USDA-backed loans: $56,880 to $170,800 depending on location 
• Income limit for all other loan types: $78,820 to $171,220 depending on location

TDHCA My First Texas Home Down Payment Assistance

My First Texas Home Forgivable Down Payment Assistance is a down payment assistance program that offers funding to first-time homebuyers in the form of a second lien that can be structured either as a three-year forgivable lien, or as a 30-year deferred repayment lien.

Assistance type: Forgivable loan

Sponsor: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Homebuyer Program

Assistance amount: Up to 5% down payment, no fixed maximum

Purchase price limit: none

Minimum borrower contribution: None 

Eligibility requirements: 

• First-time homebuyer purchasing in Texas
• Credit (FICO) score of 620 or higher 
• Income limit: $90,100 to $163,520 based on location of home

TDHCA My Choice Texas Home Down Payment Assistance

My Choice Texas Home Down Payment Assistance is a program with no first-time homebuyer requirement. Funds are delivered as second liens which can be structured either as a three-year forgivable lien, or as a 30-year deferred repayment lien.

Assistance type: Forgivable loan

Sponsor: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Homebuyer Program

Assistance amount: Up to 5% down payment, no fixed maximum

Purchase price limit: $481,176 to $712,097 depending on location of home 

Minimum borrower contribution: None 

Eligibility requirements: 

• Purchasing in Texas
• Credit (FICO) score of 620 or higher
• Income limit: $90,100 to $163,520 depending on location of home 

Veterans Housing Assistance Program

The Veterans Housing Assistance Program offers discounted mortgage loans for veterans and active duty service members to purchase a home in Texas. The funding can be structured as a 15, 20, 25, or 30 year loan. It requires minimal or no down payment and offers interest rates which are typically lower than the market rate. 

Assistance type: Discounted mortgage loan

Sponsor: Veterans Land Board

Assistance amount: up to $726,200 loan 

Minimum borrower contribution: none 

Eligibility requirements: 

• Purchasing in Texas 
• Veteran or active duty service member
• Income limit: none

National down payment assistance programs and grants you can use in Brazoria County

If you’re looking to purchase a home in Brazoria County, you might also qualify for down payment assistance sponsored by the National Homebuyer Fund. We’ve included details about the program below. 

NHF Down Payment Assistance Program

The NHF Down Payment Assistance Program provides a down payment assistance loan which can be forgiven if the home is your primary residence for a certain number of years. The number of years required to forgive the loan is determined at closing.

Assistance type: Forgivable loan

Sponsor: National Homebuyer Fund

Assistance amount: up to 5% down payment, no fixed maximum

Purchase price limit: Flexible, based on buyer’s income

Minimum borrower contribution: None 

Eligibility requirements: 

• Credit (FICO) score of 600 or higher
• Income limit*: 115% of median income in area where home is purchased

In addition to the National Homebuyer Fund, you could potentially qualify for a lender-sponsored assistance program through one of the nation’s largest banks. These programs vary from lender to lender. Stairs Financial does not endorse any single lender-sponsored DPA program over the next.  

Brazoria County down payment assistance program FAQ

Here are quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about Brazoria County down payment assistance programs.

What first-time homebuyer programs are available in Brazoria County?

These are the first-time homebuyer programs available in Brazoria County:

• Home Sweet Texas HFA Loan
• Homes for Texas Heroes HFA Loan
• 5 Star Texas Advantage Forgivable Lien
• My First Texas Home Down Payment Assistance Lien
• My Choice Texas Home Down Payment Assistance Lien
• Veterans Housing Assistance Program
• NHF Down Payment Assistance Program

How does down payment assistance work in Texas?

Down payment assistance in Texas works in a relatively straightforward way. First of all, you must apply for your mortgage through a lender who is approved by your specific assistance program. You submit your application through this lender, usually at the same time as your mortgage application. 

If you are approved, your down payment assistance gets sent either directly to you, or to your lender, depending on the program. 

Be mindful that each program has specific rules governing how you can use the money, and you must only use the money to pay approved expenses.

What is the income limit for down payment assistance in Brazoria County?

Income limits for down payment assistance are set by each program, so there is no single limit across the board in Brazoria County. However, the most common income limit is 80% of the area median income, adjusted for the size of your household. 

For a family of four, 80% of the Brazoria County AMI is $89,100. These income limits are reviewed and adjusted regularly, so always check the most recent information to see if you qualify. 

What are the minimum requirements for Brazoria County down payment assistance?

Each DPA program sets its own requirements, but these are the most common minimum requirements for Brazoria County down payment assistance:

• A contribution from the buyer, usually $1,000 or less.
• A credit score between 620 and 640, although some programs allow a lower score.
• Must be a first-time homebuyer or haven’t owned a home for a certain period of time, usually three years.

How much is a down payment for a house in Brazoria County (on average)?

The median home price in Brazoria County is $324,727. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average down payment made by first-time homebuyers nationwide is 6%. Using those numbers, the average down payment for a house in Brazoria County is $19,482.

Yes, this is good information. However, the average down payment amount isn’t necessarily the best down payment amount. Most mortgage loan programs reduce your interest rate if you put 5%, 10%, or 20% down. Your rate doesn’t typically change if you increase your down payment from 5% to 6%. 

Therefore, making a 6% down payment might not make the most financial sense.

For example, it could be better to put 5% down, then use the additional money to buy down your interest rate through mortgage points. Or, you might choose to use the savings for initial repairs on the home. Your lender will help you run the numbers and decide the best option for your situation.

What is a mortgage credit certificate and does it apply to first-time homebuyers in Brazoria County?

The Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) is a federal tax credit that applies to first-time homebuyers in Brazoria County and throughout the nation. This tax credit reduces your federal tax burden by 20% of the total mortgage interest you paid during the year. 

Refunding a portion of your interest on your tax return reduces your effective mortgage interest rate.

Learn about all the Brazoria County down payment assistance programs you qualify for

Stairs Financial streamlines your access to down payment assistance, making it easy for you to connect with a trusted lender and compare the loan and assistance programs you may qualify for, all in one place.

Learn more about your down payment assistance options.